Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
Comment: There are a group within Islam called the ‘whirling dervish’ who are extreme in their worship, almost theatrical. You can buy a ticket US$22 in America to watch a ‘performance’ or do it free in Sudan at sunset on a Friday evening. People can be attracted to extremes. It is possible for all people, Christians included, to allow their emotions to rule their actions, and substitute emotions for reality!
When the Holy Spirit came upon the early believers many, possibly all, spoke in tongues. Paul did, Peter did! Many did and some do these days. But it became sought after sometimes for the wrong reason. My wife went to a prayer meeting once when a lady prayed in her language which my wife knew. Another person stood and, claiming to interpret what the prayer had been about, gave a ‘translation’ which had nothing to do with the original prayer! Speaking in tongues is a gift which God gives to some but is not a sign of ‘goodness’ and not theatre! Paul here has some very powerful things to say. i) We should earnest desire spiritual gifts to add to those natural gifts that God has already given us. ii) Prophecy (ability to proclaim God’s message) is a gift to be sought above speaking in tongues. iii) I presume mainly, but not only when speaking about public worship, Paul says that plain proclamation is better than speaking in tongues so that the people of God may be ‘built up’ in their faith. Certainly if people talk in tongues there should be an interpreter. This obviously is necessary if the speaker is talking in his own language, but it is possible by the Holy Spirit for someone to know and interpret a God given language. Without that ‘interpretation’ how will it ever help the church to grow in its relationship to our Head, Jesus?
Prayer: Give me the passion in Your service to desire Spiritual gifts if You choose to give them to me. But make and keep me loving, in the healthy sense of the word ‘love’, as I use the gifts You graciously give.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. That was an interesting story of Robin being in a prayer meeting, and knowing what the lady prayed in her native language, and someone got up and interpreted the meaning as being spoken “in tongues” which was not correct. Paul is an authority on this subject, and as he rightly states, that speaking in tongues does not build up the Church nor the believers, so this is not at all helpful. There are some Christians who obviously haven’t taken note of what Paul has instructed the Church to do about this matter, which is sad. God bless you.
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Sadly not that looks like gold is. On the other hand we must be open and honest before God. He can and does sometimes miraculously heal, and some do speak in tongues by the Spirit. Sadly, however, human nature loves to seek the centre place, and sham shows occur. Walking in God’s pathway isn’t always easy, is it? But every step on the path is worth it!
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